Description
Delight in the classic Chinese bakery favorite with a creative twist: Strawberry and Cream Cheese Pineapple Buns. These soft, sweet buns are topped with a crunchy, golden pineapple-style crust and filled with a luscious mixture of cream cheese and fresh strawberries, offering a perfect balance of creamy, fruity, and baked textures.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bun Dough
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons milk powder
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup warm milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
For the Pineapple Topping
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 cup cake flour
- 1 tablespoon milk powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Filling
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ cup chopped fresh strawberries
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, milk powder, granulated sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Add the warm milk and whole egg and knead together until a rough dough forms. Then, incorporate the softened unsalted butter and continue kneading for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Make the Pineapple Topping: Beat the softened butter with powdered sugar until creamy and smooth. Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract thoroughly. Sift together the cake flour and milk powder, then fold into the butter mixture until a soft dough forms. Shape the topping dough into a log, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Prepare the Filling: In a separate bowl, blend the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the chopped fresh strawberries to incorporate them evenly. Refrigerate the filling until you are ready to use it.
- Shape the Buns: After the dough has risen, punch it down and divide into 8 equal pieces. Flatten each piece gently and place approximately 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese and strawberry filling in the center. Seal the dough around the filling and shape into smooth balls. Place the buns on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let them rest for 30 minutes to rise slightly.
- Assemble and Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the topping dough from the refrigerator and slice it into 8 equal discs. Place one disc gently on top of each bun, pressing lightly to adhere. Bake the buns for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the tops turn a beautiful golden brown color. Allow the buns to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Keep the cream cheese filling chilled to prevent it from leaking out during baking.
- The pineapple topping resembles the look of a pineapple’s surface but does not contain any pineapple.
- Enjoy these buns warm for the best texture and flavor, or at room temperature for a delightful snack.
